Signal for toy electric trains



Nov. 15, 1927.

G. W. TAYLOR, JR

SIGNAL FOR TOY ELECTRIC TRAINS Attorney Filed Nov. 8, 1925 Patented Nov. 15, 1927.

enoaen w. TAYLOR, JR, or IJEAVITTSBURG, onro.

SIGNAL roia TOY ELECTR C TRAINS.

Application filed November 8, 1926. Serial No. 146,998.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in signals specifically adapted for use in conjunction with toy electrical railway systems and has for its primary object to provide a signal consisting generally of avertical post upon the upper end of which is pivotally mounted a signal arm to be operated by an electro-magnet in open circuit with a storage battery or the house current, said circuit adapted to be completed to the magnet by reason of a toy train or car passing into an electrified block of the track unit.

A further and important object is to provide a signal of this character that is extremely simple of construction, inexpens1ve of manufacture, and one that is so constructed as to operate efficiently under all conditions.

Other objects and advantages of the in vention will become apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same comprising the novel form, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawing and claimed.

In the drawing wherein like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a perspective of the slgnal per se, and

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of the toy railway track unit and electrically connected to two electrified blocks of the trackway are a pair of the signals constructed in accordance with the present invention.

First having reference to the signal per se, 5 indicates a base block of any suitable material and design upon the center of which is arranged a vertically extending signal post 6, preferably of tapering formation and square shape in cross section. lVithin the upper end of this post 6 is a vertical slot 7 that opens at the opposite sides of the post, one end of the slot being of greater length than the other end as indicated by the full and dotted lines in Figure 1. Pivoted within this slot 7 as at 8 is a semaphore arm 9, the inner segmental plate portion 10 of which is provided with the usual circular and variously colored areas 11 which in the present instance may be provided by applying paint to the opposite sides of said segmental portion of the semaphore, or if desired holes may be placed in said segmental portion and variously colored discs of material disposed therein. i

Secured to the side of the post 6 beneath the segmental portion 10 of the semaphore.

armand adjacent the lower end of the: post to is an electromagnet l2'that is secured to the post by a pair of straps 1313 of metal or other equally as useful material.

Slidable vertically through the solenoid of the magnet 12 is a core 14 attached to the lower end of a pull wire 15 that extends upwardly and is connected at its upper end to the segmental portion of the semaphore arm outwardly of the post 6 as clearly indicated in Figure 1.

The electric wires from the magnet 12 eX tend through the lower end of the post 6 and thence beneath the base 5 in conventional manner after which the same are secured to binding posts 1616 that terminate at the top side of the base block 5 and are provided with the usual wire binding screws l7-17.

In a diagrammatic view, Figure 2, there is disclosed a pair of signals as actually in v x use, and 1n th1s Figure A lndicates the toy trically connected to the outer rail of the 9 track A, while the other binding post thereof is electrically connected to certain posts of the pair of signals, the other posts of the signals being respectively connected to the third rails BB arranged around opposite ends and opposite sides of the track way. As soon as a car is disposed upon the track way, the circuit is completed to the magnet of one of the signals for operating the semaphore arm thereof. After the car moves out of one block it will pass to another block, thereby alternately operating the signals which are preferably disposed at opposite sides of the track way as indicated in the diagrammatic view, Figure 2.

It will therefore be seen that I have pro vided a highly novel, simple, and efiicient toy signal for electric railways that is well adapted for all the purposes heretofore designated, and 7 even though I have herein shown and described the invention as consisting of certain detail structuralelements it is nevertheless to be understood that some changes may be made therein without effecting the spirit and scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is I g In a signal for toy electric railways, a base,a post extending upwardly from the base, said post being formed at its upper end with a transverse slot which extends through the opposite sides thereof, a semahore arm extending through the slot and ing pivoted therein, a segmental plateposts arranged on the base and having elec-' trical connection with said solenoid.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

GEORGE W. TAYLOR, JR. 

